Daily Times

For the past few weeks, it seems that lines have clearly been drawn at geo-strategic level in light of changing regional and global security dynamics. In my previous analysis, it was stated that Pakistan’s foreign policy is heading towards the right direction with the BRICS declaration being a meaningless ‘victory’ for India, hardly any skeptic would have thought that Beijing would still stand should-to-shoulder with Islamabad. Some of them believed that our esteemed diplomats have failed and not worthy to represent us on international forums. This is truly not the case as being perceived in some sections of the media for as a matter of fact it is known that some of our envoys posted in key world capitals and organisations are working round the clock for image building and improving ties on a much greater level than being projected in the media.

Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, in his concluding remarks to the recently held envoys conference, was quite clear that Pakistan would neither be dictated nor bullied by anyone, but he also cautioned that the state must adapt its policies in view of a rapidly changing global power structure. This is in no way a criticism of the state’s foreign policy by the minister but an encouragement for he is aware of the fact that Pakistan has aligned itself with some key Asian powers and relies less and less on the United States with each passing day. His meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday shouldn’t surprise elements aligned with Washington D.C. or New Delhi for Sino-Pakistan relations would remain steadfastly strong in years to come.

Furthermore, Trump’s announcement of a hawkish policy for Afghanistan has actually placed Pakistan in a far more comfortable position than ever before since the Afghan War’s beginning in October 2001. Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s address on September 6, 2017, was another precise indication on where Pakistan is heading in its national security and foreign policy goals. Pakistan is mustering support for its position on the international level, rather than being isolated as certain so-called foreign policy ‘experts’ have claimed. Even the British government and its opposition leaders remained cautious on Trump’s ill-intended policies for the region that were backed by his hawkish advisers from the Pentagon and the CIA. Britain’s opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn’s unequivocal support for Pakistan in its counter-terrorism efforts and Wang Yi’s warning to ‘certain countries’ should be taken as a positive sign for it shows that Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts have been quite fruitful.

Skepticism and criticism for the sake of criticism have remained some of the key factors for demoralisation of our diplomats posted abroad. What they are doing to project the country in a positive light is often overlooked and understated. Difficult times do come owing to domestic or international events but only unity and constructive criticism can keep us united to counter those who wish ill for the state. It’s just a matter of time before we witness a bright future for our citizens despite the things that held us back in certain times.

The writer is Tactical Talk Network’s special correspondent and geopolitical analyst for Business Plus. He can be reached at hassankhan440@gmail.com and tweets @mhassankhan06

Published in Daily Times, September 9^th 2017.